The last month I have been so consumed with reading and the normalcies of every day life that I have not written
any new reviews. Needless to say I have a lot to catch up on, so today's post is going to be a quick rundown on all of the stories I have read lately... Kind of like speed dating... but with books!
Here we go....
Ruining Me and
Ruining You by Nicole Reed
The plot of these two books was pretty dark and emotional, and at times the content was a little jarring. I also found myself having a hard time connecting with Jay a little bit. In fact, there were a few points in the book where I wanted to straight up judo chop her. I know she was the victim of a horrendous crime and I can't even begin to imagine what something like that would do to someone, but I still found myself feeling a little frustrated with her reactions and responses to a few things. Fortunately, the ending of
Ruining You made the emotional journey totally worth it. Definitely take the time to check these books out, but prepare yourself because there is some dark and disturbing subject matter.
Forever Changed by Tiffany King
This was a good book about tragic loss and unexpected love. It was a really emotional, yet sweet and moving story and the characters were easy to relate to.
Wanted by Kelly Elliot
This story is set in Austin, Texas, which I love since I am a Texas girl. It is definitely the classic innocent girl with dark past meets hunky semi-womanizing college boy, who immediately wants to change his ways to protect and love said innocent girl. Cliche? Yes. Still enjoyable? Absolutely. The story was super sweet, the characters were extremely likable, and there is a major bomb dropped at the end that left me wanting more. Which brings me to book 2 in the Wanted series,
Saved.... It is a companion novel and tells the story of Arianna and Jeff. I actually plan to start reading it today. I will be sure to let y'all know how it is as soon as I finish.
My Favorite Mistake by Chelsea M. Cameron
I read this book on the plane to London, and could not put it down. I was completely captivated by the story and was excited to see how it all would evolve. It is an easy (and at times a taaaad predictable) read that goes from being cute and funny to dark and painful. Of course there were moments that kind of got on my nerves (specifically Taylor), but overall I enjoyed the book. Hunter was a great character. He was funny, yet insightful and always so patient and supportive of Taylor, even when she was a complete wench to him. It's not the best book ever written, but it is well worth your time.
Unbroken by Melody Grace
I am not sure where to even start with this one. Did I like it? Eh, yeah... I guess. The concept behind the story was great, but I felt like there just wasn't enough meat to it. It was super short and the storyline was... lacking. The plot had potential, but in my eyes, it completely fell short, which made me sad because I actually liked the characters. Everything was just way too rushed and lacked real substance.
Suicide Note by Teresa Mummert
This book was good. It didn't blow me away, but it was good. I loved that she wrote using dual points of view and I thought that the characters were relatable and realistic. I was a little annoyed with some of the editing errors that I found throughout the book and to be honest, the story started out a little slow for my liking, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
I absolutely loved this book! It had me literally laughing out loud (for most of the story) and then blushing like crazy two seconds later. Caroline had such an amazing sense of humor and the dialogue between her and her "Wallbanger" next door neighbor, Simon was so witty and adorable that I found myself giggling and grinning like an idiot for most of the book. The characters are beyond lovable and the plot is captivating, hilarious, and steamy. If you are looking for a lighthearted and fun read... definitely get this book. It will not disappoint you.
Depths by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt
This is the companion novel for the book,
Lengths, that I recommended on a previous post. The story follows Deo's best friend Cohen as he struggles to find love and happiness after a painful breakup. It is a sweet and refreshing romance and a wonderful follow up to
Lengths. The relationship between Cohen and Maren was adorable and steamy. It is a light and fluffy feel good read that is 100% worth your time.
Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Raynes
This story is set in London (which was cool for me since we just got back from there) and is centered around Catherine Bailey, a woman with an extremely dark and horrific past that has left her with a severely life altering case of OCD. I really liked that the chapters alternated between Catherine's present and past life. It was an effective way of giving us glimpses into her life pre-OCD without giving away too much information all at once. The back and forth switching from past to present was a little confusing at first, but as you continue reading, it all comes together. There are definitely some dark and disturbingly graphic moments that are completely gut wrenching and the story is quite long and emotionally exhausting, but it is a really good read that I highly recommend.
Crow's Row by Julie Hockley
I can't really decide where I stand on this book. I was pretty much skim reading and rolling my eyes throughout most of it (to me it was super far-fetched and at times downright ridiculous).... then all of the sudden you get to the last couple of chapters and out of nowhere the story starts to FINALLY take off and then
bam its over! Despite my boredom and irritation during the beginning and middle of this book, I absolutely have to read the sequel,
Scare Crow, when it comes out because
Crow's Row has one heck of a cliffhanger ending that shocked and pissed the hell out of me. Literally just when I thought I really hated the story, she freaking sucks you in with this crazy ending and now I feel invested and have to see it through to the end. Hopefully book 2 will be a little more exciting throughout its entirety and not just at the end because I would hate to have to judo chop someone.
Collide by Gail McHugh
Speaking of judo chopping someone, this book made me want to do just that multiple, multiple times throughout the story. Don't get me wrong... I
really liked it, but the characters were completely frustrating... especially Emily. She was super wishy washy and had absolutely no backbone. I kind of wanted to slap her upside the head for the majority of the book, but despite all of that, I found myself utterly immersed in the story. And Gavin? Oh my word. That man is one sexy beast. Yowzas!
I will say that if you want to read this book... WAIT till the 2nd one comes out because you will seriously be ticked off at the end. McHugh totally leaves you hanging. I literally wanted to throw my Nook against the wall after sitting through such a crazy and dramatic love story only to be left with no clue as what the eff is going happen. Super frustrating! Like I said earlier, it is a great read.... buuuuut if you want to be left with your sanity at the end... wait till book two comes out to start... that way you aren't left waiting months and months to stew over its abrupt and irritating ending. Dang cliffhangers!
Music of the Heart by Katie Ashley
Ok, so I didn't love this book, but I didn't
hate it either. It was just so-so. Jake was a major a-hole to Abby and even though she is supposed to be the forgiving Christian type, I definitely think the writer took Jake's rock-n-roll angst and anger a little too far for my liking.
Never would I let a man talk to me the way he talked to Abby and then for her to just be like..."It's ok. You are in pain. I forgive you... blah blah blah." was extremely irritating. It just seemed completely unrealistic to me. Especially since they had only known each other for like 2 days. She should have straight up junk punched him... hard. Regardless, it was a
decent story and there were some really sweet and super steamy moments.
The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle
Now
this story has a bad boy rocker that can make a girl swoon. Both Tru and Jake are completely lovable and I really enjoyed watching their relationship blossom. The plot is funny, suuuuper steamy, and a little heartbreaking. There were a few things that I didn't like throughout the book (editing issues, Tru's indecisiveness, and at times it was a tad drawn out) but I still really liked it and am anxiously awaiting the release of
Weathering the Storm.
Falling into You by Jasinda Wilder
If you decide to read this book (and you absolutely SHOULD), get your tissues ready.... I was crying like a baby more than a couple times. It is super intense and emotional and I was completely enraptured with not only the story, but with the characters as well. I can't even begin to accurately describe the emotions I felt while reading it. It is beautifully written... sad yet heartwarming, tragic yet full of hope, painful yet sensual. I just can't say enough great things. It is a definite must read.
Metamorphosis by Erin Noelle
I
reeeeally liked this book, not only because it is set in my hometown of Houston, but because the characters were very relatable and completely drew me in. It is a sweet story of self-discovery mixed with super hot man candy and tragic loss. I kind of felt like Scarlett's confidence and ability to juggle 3 guys was just a tad far-fetched since she had lived an extremely sheltered life and barely even talked to a boy before college started, but I still enjoyed her journey regardless. She is a great character and I really loved her relationship with her bestie. Also, the many tributes to my favorite New Adult book boyfriends made the story even more fun. As far as the love interests go....I honestly can't quite decide if I am Team Ash or Team Mason because I strangely love them both. I mean, I totally wanted to kick Ash in the shins more than a couple of times, but there is just something behind his mysterious man-whoring ways that makes me want to root for him. And Mason... holy hotness! That boy is a total dreamboat! He is the epitome of a sexy rock n' roll bad boy. What girl wouldn't swoon!? *fans face* Ok so maybe if I had to choose, I would pick Team Mason. Or maybe Team Ash. Ahh! They are both so yummy, so I REALLY can't decide. I will just be Team MasHon ;-) Needless to say, I will
for sure be reading the sequel,
Ambrosia when it comes out this summer.
Thoughtless series by S.C. Stephens
When I started the first book in this series I was totally into it, and then as I continued reading I started to freaking
hate the direction it was going and more specifically... I started to
reeeeeally hate Kiera. I could not stand the way her character unfolded. She starts out as lovable and endearing then 52 blushes later... I was done with her. She was beyond needy, insecure, and extremely wishy washy. The only reason I kept reading was because I hate to leave a story unfinished and despite my loathing of Kiera and the situation she put herself in... I was extremely intrigued by Kellan. I grudgingly got passed book one, then painstakingly started book two, and
thankfully, the story and characters finally started to draw me in again. Kiera began to mature and grow, and her and Kellan seemed to finally be getting their shiz together. There were still moments that I wanted to throw my Nook in frustration and thought, "Oh no! Not again!", but I shockingly found myself wanting to punch Kiera in the boob less and less as book two progressed. Then magically by the start of book three, I was 100% rooting for Kiera and Kellan's relationship to make it and found myself starting to enjoy watching Kiera's journey from an annoying, insecure, and uptight girl to a confident and mature independent woman. I
loved Kellan's character and as I mentioned earlier, he was the driving force behind me being able to finish the series. He is frustrating as well at times, but he is also extremely supportive of Kiera, playful, funny, extremely talented, and as Anna describes him in the book, absolute "sex on a stick!" As a whole, the series goes from being super irritating to strangely addicting, and if you stick with it, you will be happy with how it all ends.
Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Ok I really really LOVED
Beautiful Disaster and I was 100% aware when buying this book that it would be the exact same story... just told from Travis' POV. Sadly, there was just something lacking for me in this version. Where BD was well written and developed... this one seemed rushed and didn't give as much insight into Trav's mind as I would have liked. While I still enjoyed hearing the story from this alternate POV, it just seemed to fall a little flat and I couldn't help but feel a tad disappointed. The saving grace for me was the last chapter and the epilogue. I loved how she wrapped the story up and gave us an ending that was vaguely hinted at in BD. I honestly would have been happy just reading the last chapter and epilogue as bonus chapters to BD rather than paying for and reading this whole book. If you haven't read
Beautiful Disaster, you
definitely should, but don't get your hopes
too too high for Trav's story. If you're a big Travis fan, like I am, you will still like it because... well duh... its Travis freaking Maddox, but to me, it just didn't quite have the same magic as BD. I still LOVE Travis though! And I also still love Jamie McGuire.
And last but certainly not least on my list today......
Connected by Kim Karr
This book took my breath away. I loved every second, except for the part where it ended. Like seriously, I adored everything about it... the plot... the characters... the heartbreak... the steam... Was it a tad unrealistic at times? Maybe. But I still freaking loved it and I have a
serious book crush on River... Like I may be borderline obsessed with him. However, I must point out that I completely
freaked out at the ending. I screamed in frustration, then got all teary eyed with worry, and I may or may not have stomped around the house yelling "What!!?!? No way!! This is NOT happening!" No joke, the ending kind of ruined my life. Despite the GIANT gut wrenching cliffhanger, you MUST read this book. Though, unless you want to have a mental breakdown while you wait months for the sequel to be released like I surely will, I HIGHLY recommend that you wait for book two's release before you give
Connected a whirl. Otherwise, you might end up needing therapy like I obviously do. Hurry up and get here,
Torn. I miss River already. ;-)
Anywho, hopefully you can find a book or two in this post that catches your interest and as always... if you read any of these recommendations, please let me know what you think! Until then....
Happy Reading, Y'all! :-)
